Murdoch advertisers get cold feet

2011-07-06 12:16

Reuters

London - Carmaker Ford has suspended advertising in
Britain's News of the World due to allegations of hacking by the newspaper,
while lender Halifax is among a growing band of companies reviewing their
policies.

Below are comments from major advertisers, many of them
responding to a barrage of messages on Twitter from consumers calling for
boycotts of News of the World and other UK titles belonging to Rupert Murdoch,
including The Sun and The Times.

EasyJet

EasyJet understands the concerns raised by the public,
including many of our own staff and passengers, about these serious and
shocking claims. We will actively monitor the situation and await the outcome
of any investigation.

Ford

We are awaiting an outcome from the News of the World
investigation and expect a speedy and decisive response. Pending this response
we will be using alternative media within and outside News International Group
instead of placing Ford advertising in the News of the World.

Halifax (Lloyds Banking Group)

Our marketing director is considering our options regarding
advertising in the News of the World.

Marks & Spencer says it advertises in
The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times but not News of the World:

It's something that we'll keep a close eye on to see how
things develop. We're watching what's happening and following the developments.
At this stage we do continue to advertise with them.

McDonald's says it has not advertised in
the News of the World since 2010 and has no plans to do so. It will continue to
advertise in The Sun.

NPower

We note the concerns which have arisen on the back of fresh
allegations of phone hacking against the News of the World. We are currently
reviewing our options.

Renault

Renault acknowledges the concerns raised regarding the
allegations of phone hacking by the News of the World. We can confirm that we
have no media advertising planned with the News of the World.

J Sainsbury

We advertise in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and TV
and radio stations. The views and practices of any of (the) organisations that
carry our advertising do not represent those of Sainsbury's. That said, it
would be prudent to await the outcome of the investigation.

Royal Bank of Scotland, the lender and
owner of insurer Direct Line, declines to comment.

T-Mobile UK

We are currently reviewing our advertising position with
News of the World, following the recent allegations, and await the outcome of
the ongoing police investigation.

Tesco

These latest allegations will cause huge distress to a
family which has suffered enough. It's now a matter for the police; like
everyone, we await the outcome of their investigation.

Thomas Cook says it has no advertising
planned with News of the World at the moment.

TUI Travel

Thomson and First Choice advertise from time to time with
News of the World depending on what campaigns we have. We have no plans to
advertise this week. Without wishing to prejudice any investigations in
progress, we are reviewing the options, as is reasonable in such unusual circumstances.

Vauxhall says it has no plans to drop
advertising:

As these are allegations, we will await the outcome of the
police investigations.